BY RUCHIRA GHOSH

It was a rather interesting evening that would remain etched in my mind forever. After a resounding success in early May this year in Kolkata, Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, the well-known and immensely popular interdisciplinary artist, decided to stage his latest oeuvre, “Journeys,” at the National Capital a few days later. And it was a good thing he did, for his popularity in the metro was testified by the fact that the venue for the evening, the upscale India International Centre in Midtown Delhi, was almost packed to capacity.

The program began bang on time. A hush descended on the audience the moment Sujoy came onstage, clad in a black top/shirt and a stylish, colorful gaamchha-patterned dhoti (that accentuated his alabaster complexion), plus a striking matching neckpiece and a nose pin to boot. Armed with his gift of gab and bubbling with confidence, he managed to establish a spontaneous rapport with the audience. The musical team for the occasion comprised, besides SPC, the highly talented yet low-profile crooner-cum-keyboard artist Shibashis Banerjee.

Very significantly, “Journeys” comprised a cache of readings (excerpts) from marvelous works that have impacted Sujoy in the chequered journey of his life so far. One couldn’t help but be impressed by the artist’s in-depth research on the subject, superb lexicon, and overall aesthetics. Blended with the soul-stirring voice of Shibashis, they created a magical effect. Literature and poetry lovers (Bengali and English as well) had a field day since the gamut of poetry included creations of Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Taha Muhammad Ali, William Shakespeare, Subhash Mukhopadhyay, Nirendranath Chakraborty, Amrita Pritam, and many more. It was delightful to observe Sujoy gliding from one poem to another, Bangla to English and back, with such grace and élan. Shibashis nimbly stepped in where his companion paused.

Tagore being his forte, Sujoy commenced with the familiar yet soulful “Sakatarey kandiche oi.” Shibashis unfolded himself with Bob Dylan’s iconic “Blowing in the Wind” and “We Shall Overcome,” immortalized by Joan Baez in the early 1960s, John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, among many others. (Pardon me, readers, the list may be a tad awry.) Shibashis enthralled the viewers with his powerful yet mellifluous voice. The viewers were visibly surprised when Sujoy showcased the poetry of the legendary Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi, namely “Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein…” from the eponymous 1976 film. He added a dash of ‘Punjabiyat’ by reciting renowned Punjabi poetess Amrita Pritam’s passionate, emotional love poem “Main Tainu Phir Milangi” (We Will Meet Again).

The crowning glory of the evening, undoubtedly, was the dramatized reading of excerpts from Othello (Shakespeare’s, naturally). His voice tremulous and intense with passion, Sujoy played both Othello and Desdemona to perfection.

On a personal note, it was such a pity that this reporter was unable to stay until the curtains came down. (An urgent assignment played spoilsport.) Nonetheless, Sujoy always stuns whenever or wherever he performs, and this was no exception. One can hope to see him in Delhi again in the not-too-distant future.